Rural 1st® Home Loans

Farm Credit Services of America is proud to offer home lending through Rural 1st. Rural 1st can finance every phase of your move to country living – from buying land and constructing your home, to expanding, adding outbuildings and making improvements over time. Rural 1st offers home loans, lot loans, recreational land loans, construction loans and home equity loans.

Rural 1st provides custom financing for rural property purchases and construction projects and has the experience and focus on rural lending to offer loans and financing packages tailored to your specific needs. With highly skilled team members and efficient systems, you can expect a streamlined loan process.

Yes. At Rural 1st, you can go from construction to permanent financing with one simple loan package – refinancing is not required when the project is complete. The land you’re building on rather than only the dwelling value can be used as equity for your down payment**, so you can maximize the amount of your financing. And during the construction process you have the option to lock in your loan with variable- to adjustable- or fixed-rate financing.***

**Subject to review and approval. All loans are subject to credit approval and eligibility.
***There is a $750 fee for a one-time close conversion to permanent fixed rate financing. Fee is subject to change without notice.

Yes. Choosing a contractor is your decision, and Rural 1st will work with your choice. If you have experience and well-documented plans, you can even be your own self-contractor.****

And you can take up to one year to complete your project. Many lenders require you to finish building within a six-month window. At Rural 1st you can take up to a full year to complete your project – allowing time for weather and schedule delays.

****Subject to restrictions.

Rural 1st lends on bare land for recreational purposes with a minimum of 10 acres that includes at least five acres of cleared land or 20 acres of wooded land.

Rural 1st offers the security of a fully fixed-rate loan, as well as adjustable-rate options to choose from. Loans are truly amortized with no balloon payments, and you can choose the term and down payment that are right for you.

When you’re ready to buy more land, build a barn or outbuilding or make home improvements, Rural 1st can help with a home equity loan. We make the process as simple as possible. Once your loan has closed, it’s easy to access your funds with convenient drafts and online transfers.

Rural 1st offer flexible payment options, so you can make interest-only payments or principal and interest payments any time – without pre-payment penalties or fees. And as you repay your loan balance, your credit line is replenished, so you can keep using it for additional expenses.